Step Two: Choose a specialty.
To earn certification you must take a Core exam and one Specialty
exam of your choice. Choose a specialty based on the equipment and
systems you work on. There are ten specialties available:

Air Conditioning

Air Distribution

Gas Heating

Heat Pumps

Oil Heating

Hydronics Gas

Hydronics Oil

Light Commercial Refrigeration

Commercial Refrigeration

HVAC Efficiency Analyst (Additional Requirements Needed)

The Core Exam covers Safety, Tools, Soft Skills, Principles of
Heat Transfer and Total Comfort, and Electrical questions. The exam
consists of 50 questions and 70 percent correct is a passing grade.
These exams
consists of 100 questions each and 70 percent correct is a passing
grade (75% for Efficiency Analyst). A well-trained, experienced technician should be able to
take and pass both a Core exam and one Specialty exam in a single
testing session (maximum of four hours). Even if you don't pass
both exams and earn certification, you will receive credit for the
exam you did pass. You can register to re-take any exam you didn't
pass after a 30-day study and training period. You have two years
to take and pass the missing exam you need for certification.

Step Three: Register for a testing session.
NATE has a network of hundreds of Testing Organizations across the
country. You may register at any testing location. Testing takes
place year 'round. Please check NATE's
web site for your nearest local testing organization for test
sites, schedules, and pricing information.